Archives for March 13, 2014

Ignition switch failure has been attributed to the Chevy Cobalt and five other GM models.

Now two months into her tenure, GM CEO Mary Barra finds herself in the midst of a publicity storm that wont go away. At the heart of the matter are several retired compact models including the Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn Ion, and an ignition safety flaw that led to at least 31 accidents and the deaths of 12 people.

Originally, GM disclosed that it knew about the problem in 2004. On Wed., the automaker modified that claim to say that it learned about the safety defect as early as 2001. The heart of the problem are ignition switches that if bumped by the driver could turn off, shut down the engine, and effectively cause the driver to lose control of the car.

*** Reference — The New York Times: G.M. Reveals It Was Told of Ignition Defect in ’01***

Six Models Recalled

In Feb., GM recalled the 2005 to 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and the 2007 Pontiac G5. Four more models were added on Feb. 25: the 2007 Saturn Sky; 2006 and 2007 editions of both the Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice; and the 2003 to 2007 Saturn Ion. All six models used the same ignition switch.

GM has admitted that the recall was bogged down for years within its internal committees. On March 4, Barra told employees that she had first learned of the problem just a few weeks earlier, promising to lead a group of senior executives to monitor the recall and probe, working with federal regulators. Barra also promised to launch “..an internal review to give us an unvarnished report on what happened.”

Ignition Switch Delayed Recall

The confirmed delays led to the Center for Auto Safety weighing in with CAS Executive Director Clarence Ditlow calling on a probe of the NHTSA for its failure to act. The NHTSA knew as early as 2007 about the defect and how to fix it, but failed to act. Ditlow called for an independent investigation of the NHTSA and said that it shares responsibility for the deaths with GM.

Owners of affected models will have their ignitions replaced. In the meantime, GM is urging them to use only a single ignition key as heavy key rings can contribute to ignition failure. GM has also advised its dealers to provide loaner vehicles to concerned customers and has initiated a $500 cash allowance for the purchase of a new 2013 to 2015 GM vehicle. GM wont have the parts available to complete the repairs before April.

Mary Barra and Crisis Management

For Barra, a severe publicity test early in her tenure will give everyone the chance to see what she is made of. Although GMs 2009 bankruptcy limits the company’s exposure to $150 million in repairs, the automaker cannot ignore the injuries and deaths caused by its neglect. Critics have sharpened their knives for a full-scale attack including those that believe bailing out GM was a mistake all along. Barra cannot do much about them, but she can demonstrate that the automaker is doing everything it can to make amends.

Getting the story out of the news will take much work as will changing the narrative notes Market Watch. GMs problem is not unlike BP’s Deepwater Horizon crisis, a 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill that caused an environmental disaster and nearly bankrupted the company.

GM may escape its current crisis with its reputation restored, but just like BP and its 11 deaths, the automaker has 12 known deaths on its hands. Indeed, as reporters dig deeper other possible fatal accidents involving the affected vehicles are now coming to light. How Barra responds will be scrutinized by all, an early test of her crisis management skills.

It is a fact that GM needs a pickup truck hit. Its current generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models are new for 2014, but the six-year-old Ford F-150 continues to outsell these two models by more than 100,000 units annually. Where GM can expect to enjoy some gains has nothing to do with its light- and commercial-duty full-size pickup trucks. Instead, it is a pair of medium-sized trucks that are expected to arrive in showrooms this fall in the form of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and the 2015 GMC Canyon. The two trucks are twins although there are considerable differences between the front fascias and trim offerings.

Extended and Crew Cab Models

The new trucks will be sold in extended and crew cab layouts only. Both rear- and front-wheel drive editions will be available along with one four cylinder and one V-6 gasoline engine. A diesel engine arrives later. Both models will take on the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, the only other pickup trucks in this segment.

The Colorado and Canyon are not new names, both models were used up until 2012 when they were canceled. GM had planned to bring them back, but it decided to cancel the previous generation models rather than waiting around with the old models while the new trucks were being prepared.

As for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, it will be offered in work truck, LT, and Z71 editions. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, making 193 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 foot-pounds of torque at 4,400 rpm. Also available is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine making 302 horsepower at 6,950 rpm and 270 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm. Both engines are widely used in various other GM passenger vehicles. A six-speed automatic is the sole transmission.

Suspension and Brake System

The Colorado’s front suspension has independent coil-over shocks with twin-tube shocks in the four-wheel drive model. The rear suspension has a solid axle with semi-elliptic two-stage multi-leaf springs and twin-tube shocks. An automatic looking axle is standard on the Z71 and available elsewhere. Standard 16-inch wheels can be upgraded to 17- or 18-inch wheels.

All models are outfitted with power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with extended life brake rotors. Anti-lock brakes and stability control are standard. Hill start assist and hill descent control are available. Electrically-assisted power rack and pinion steering with variable assist is standard.

Truck Bed Choices

The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado may be smaller than the Chevy Silverado, but it shouldn’t be taken as a lightweight either. The base weight of the extended cab truck with its 6-foot, 2-inch bed is 3,959 pounds. The crew cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed weighs in at 4,037 pounds, and the crew cab with the larger box tips the scales at 4,266 pounds. Payload and trailering capacities will be announced later.

The extended cab edition sits on a 127.9-inch wheelbase and measures 208.2 inches long by 73.2 inches wide by 78.7/78.9 inches tall. The short box crew cab is 128.3 inches from wheel to wheel and is 212.6 inches long. The long wheelbase crew cab has a 140.5-inch wheelbase and is 224.5 inches long.

Colorado shoppers should be pleased to find many of the big truck features on the 2015 model. That same CornerStep bumper design on the Chevrolet Silverado will find its way to the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. This writer spent a week with the Silverado earlier this year and was happy to have that feature included.

Other important features coming include an easier to lift and lower tailgate, a two-tier loading compartment for the truck bed, 13 standard tie downs, bed rail and tailgate protectors, and available factory-installed spray-in bed liner. Inside, the Colorado gets sculpted door panels for easier access and egress, an upper instrument panel storage bin, a large center console storage compartment with room to house a tablet, and rear under seat storage.

High Tech Features

Technological features include an 8-inch color display for all models except with the work truck, multiple USB drives, available OnStar and Chevrolet MyLink, an available navigation system, and diagonal driver information screen in the instrument cluster. Numerous safety features are included or available such as six standard airbags and large review mirror with a rearview camera. Forward collision alert and lane departure warning are optional.

Pricing and other model details will be available closer to the release date. Well have a full review of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado once we get our hands on one. In the meantime, check out Next Truck International for a healthy dose of big rigs.